VIEW OF THE COUNTRY. 207 



along the plain on the summit of this ridge, when 

 the loud voice of Ohmed Mahomed calling after us, 

 caused us to stop until he came up. On his near 

 approach, he turned round, and with his hand 

 directed my attention to a division very visible in 

 the flat country to the north-west, which marked 

 the course of the stream of the Hawash, and the 

 valley of which, seemed to be not more extensive 

 than that formed by the stream of the Gobard. I 

 was, however, informed, that it was really much 

 more extensive, and that an immense number of 

 Bedouins inhabited the fertile district on each side 

 of the river, for nearly two days' journey before it 

 bends round to the north of Owssa. 



The precipitous termination of the flat country 

 to the west of the Lake Abhibhad, was also very 

 plainly seen over the tree-covered expanse, that 

 marked the entrance of the Gobard, into that 

 general recipient of the waters of Adal. A promi- 

 nent feature of the scene also, on the opposite bank, 

 of this stream, and to the immediate north-east of 

 the lake, was the ridge of yellow gravelly soil, 

 divided into numerous small denuded hills, that I 

 passed along the morning before. On the south 

 and west, the surrounding country was one wide 

 stony plain, through which protruded numerous 

 low dykes of lava, and at the distance of about 

 twenty miles could be observed the summit of a 

 single cone, called Jibel Obinoe, whilst in the 

 opposite direction, towards Zeila and Tajourah, 



